Good food for thought - thanks for posting.

@DexterDex: I checked the link and I think the closest class is a little over an hour away from here. I also talked to someone at Petsmart and they told me that I DID have to bring proof that Dexter had begun his vaccinations… I'd still like to go and watch a class there. By all means, go and see a class there. I think everyone should do this BEFORE they sign up for any dog class. You will get a feel for the trainer, whether or not they have assistants with them, how many dogs they allow in the class, and how much time is used for social interaction before the actual training begins. These things are really important. Looking back at where Kipawa did his first class (he graduated) I would not go back there, even though they are really well thought of. The head trainer there is just not my cup of tea. One of her assistants that did two classes out of the 6 was much better. Also, way too much time was spent on dog socialization prior to the beginning the actual training. Most of the dogs should have first been put into a puppy socialization class, not a training class. Lastly, the trainers website said that there would be a max of 8 dogs there. For our last two classes there were 12 and 14 dogs there. Really chaotic - not enough order in the class - and you could tell the dogs were being impacted by that.

cleanrun.com has videos on demand. mostly agility-related videos, but they also have the control unleashed stuff.

Heidi might be allergic to penicillin. It might be an idea to contact the breeder and find out about the medical history of Heidi's for-bearers. For a long time after I got Mister Two Dicks, he would throw up for what I though was no reason. I would give him dry food, he would throw up. I would give him canned food, he would throw up. I would give him beef bones, he would throw up. After much complaining to his breeder and others, it suddenly dawned on his breeder that Mister Two Dicks' grandfather was allergic to beef. Ever since, no beef, no throw ups. It could be that Heidi is allergic to something and it is hereditary. Just a thought.

got to love them~!

My b doesn't (usually) pull so I can't say for sure, but even at its tightest, the collar won't cut off air entirely. The tightness of the collar is limited; if you order one of the custom ones from Long Dog, you get to specify the smallest circumference of the collar. I would imagine a wide leather collar to be preferable to a thin nylon one for a puller, just because it won't chafe or cut into his neck as much.

@MacPack: There was a black & white basenji in an ad for those swim-current pools a couple of years ago, he was running along the side of it. Just a glimpse. I posted about that one on the forums in this area, I think. Someone else posted a link to the video. :) Pretty sure I titled it "Is that a B I see?"

On work days I have to wake up Gossy but on weekends she wakes me up by sticking her face right next to mine and giving me that old basenji mind-meld "I will you to wake up".

My B too lost some spunk during teething…less appetite, loose stools as well. About two weeks ago she got her last two big girl teeth in (her canines) and all went back to normal.

I expect Malaika thought the man was playing with her! Silly man not to know! Damac - thank you for posting thos pictures.

I just purchased the magazine. It will probably take a little while longer to make it here to Canada (international mailing). I can't wait to get it.

When my guys were pups I would get on the floor on all fours and pretend to be a dog. Waggle my butt, take my hand(paw) and tap the dog on the head, scoot around on the floor etc.. My guys loved it. They must have though I was crazy, but the ran around and over and under me. I would sometime incorporate a toy and we would "share". Do watch out if your guy is a nipper and discourage that. If my boy would nip or get mouthy I used "ouch" command loudly and stop play.

Pippin only uses his when we are outside, he has a cowbell on it so he is heard should he go in and disappear in the brush..but for indoors it is nice to not have a collar on.. When he was younger (he is 17 wks now) I did have it on him all the time..wanted him to get used to wearing it and thought taking it off often might prolong the "getting used to it" part..

LOL well she probably liked it better when I took her, but if not, oh well… lol. Also, btw, the neighbors said their dog's name was Sarah. I thought, how sweet. Til I found out why... it was short for "Midnight Serenade" ... which she did and you could hear even if she was in the house lol.

LOL under basenji talk: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=10926

OMG, pls. let us know how Benny is doing after all those bites… If I were you, I would still report the incident to the police or Animal Control... It doesn't matter if you don't know who the owner is...This would establish history and should the owner be identified, then there's documentation that the proper authorities can look back to... Also, you said you've seen this pit bull before... If you see that dog again, maybe you can observe it (from a safe distance, of course) and maybe he'll lead you to its home... But safety (your safety) is priority one... Just my $0.02...

THAT is a fabulous story! love it!

@caz: Is that one of Victoria's ones?? Yes he is ….....

Good thinking!!